It’s not a secret that the sun’s powerful rays can severely damage your skin, but did you know that they can also damage your hair? While the sun doesn’t burn your hair the same way it can burn your skin, it can potentially damage your hair color which in turn can affect the way your hair looks and feels. Just like your skin, your hair has pigment cells called melanin that react to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. While you may love the way the sun lightens your hair, those highlights could actually be a sign of sun damage.

Lucky for you, it’s much easier to protect hair. If you follow these simple tips, you’ll have healthy hair all summer long.

#1: Protect your hair from chlorine

When your hair gets wet with chlorinated water, it absorbs the chlorine, which dries out the sebum (the natural lubricant of hair). Over time, this will overly-dry your hair, cause the cuticles to crack and lead to breakage. If you plan on doing a lot of swimming, we suggest you look into an anti-chlorine shampoo and conditioner to help neutralize and remove the chlorine from your hair.

Some key benefits of using these products are :

• Strips your hair of chlorine, salt, and hard water buildup
• Removes the unsightly green tint of chlorine
• Banishes the nasty chemical smell
• Moisturizes, rebuilds and softens your hair

#2: Use hair products with UV protection.

The easiest way to protect your strands from sun damage this summer is to incorporate products formulated with UV protection into your hair care routine. The sun dulls your hair (healthy hair appears shiny and vibrant) and fades your expensive hair color. Likewise, it damages the cuticle, which leads to dry, brittle hair, split ends and discoloration.

• It was specially formulated to protect your hair from UV rays
• It smooths and conditions your hair without weighing it down
• The ingredients are incredibly lightweight
• It’s perfect for all hair types

#3: Alternate Updos

Try to alternate where you tie it up every day. If you wear a ponytail in the same place every day, the hair tie will cause repeated friction that will eventually start to cause breakage and damage your hair. Change up your style each day.

#4: Moisturize

Sun exposure fades our hair color and leaves our hair dry and brittle. To help sun damaged hair, treat it with moisture. A lot of moisture. Do a deep conditioning treatment twice a month to keep your hair luscious and soft. For added hydration use hair oil on your strands from the midpoint of your hair, down. Oil is fantastic to use for a scalp treatment as well to help keep your roots strong and healthy.

#5: Use a Wide Tooth Comb

Instead of brushing your hair with a regular hairbrush, use a wide-tooth comb instead. This will help detangle your hair after a long day at the beach and help you avoid breakage when doing so.

#6: Avoid too much heat.

Summer is hot already. Your hair doesn’t need intense blow drying and hot tools on top of all that sun. The key is to limit your heat styling as much as possible. Try air drying most of the way, and only use styling irons occasionally. It’ll really minimize seasonal damage.

#7: Stay healthy and hydrated.

Health is essential to overall beauty, and hair is no exception. To keep strands from getting too dry in summer, drink plenty of cooling liquids and add fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet. A healthy, hydrated body makes beautiful hair much more achievable, especially in summer.

#8: Get a Trim
Once the summer is over and you’ve waged the war against swimmer’s hair, I recommend getting a good trim.  Even if you haven’t sustained too much damage to your hair, cutting damaged ends off will do wonders for the way your hair looks and feels.